Down to Earth Conversations

A content warning right from the beginning here...the episode contains discussion around self-harm a.k.a. non-suicidal self injury (NSSI), and suicide is therefore also mentioned. So please take all the precautions you need to keep yourself safe, and skip the episode if you need to. Please also access support if you need to. You can find a large range of support services at thevoicesofhope.org/pages/find-a-helpline Dr Kirsty Moore is a doctor of psychology, with lived experience of NSSI. She works across a range of roles, but holds a special passion for educating parents, teachers, and others who work with our young people, about NSSI and the ways to support people who are self harming, which she does voluntarily.  We talk about how Kirsty got into psychology, how she became focussed on NSSI, including hearing some of her story, and how she uses this knowledge and experience for the good of others.  We talk about NSSI, some of the stereotypes that aren't so helpful, some of the common motivations, and why it's important to have thought about how you might support someone who is self harming.  Find Kirsty on Instagram, or if you are interested in having Dr Kirsty speak to your group, contact her at Kirsty@drkirstycoaching.co.nz  ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at: Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com   Music by Strahan: Spotify: Strahan Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic or facebook.com/commonerscommunion Instagram: @strahanmusic or @commoners_communion

Back on Episode 33 we talked about James' time working with refugees in Ngaru, and then what he was up to in the Australian outback. This time we talk to him about his involvement in the formation of the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages that began before easter and are continuing around the world. We talk about how and why they started, how it's going, and what they are hoping to accomplish. We talk about the importance of the involvement of Palestinian Christians in the movement, and how people around the world are joining in. It's a great reminder that we can all do something, even if it feels like not much, and that that small thing when put together with the small things of others, can make a difference in the world.  Find Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages at gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com or on Instagram or Facebook Follow Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine on Instagram or Facebook ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com  

Bridie Boyd is, among other things, a chaplain at Hillmorton hospital, a psychiatric care facility in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). She is also involved in advocating for, and supporting, women in the Anglican environment in Aotearoa, New Zealand.  We talk about both of these roles. What drives her in her advocating for others? What draws her to love those others neglect or even despise?  We discuss what the role of chaplain actually involves and the challenges and rewards of doing such a role with people who are struggling in their mental health. Bridie also shares about her own mental health journey, how that has helped her in her role, and what she has learned along the way. Within the kōrero we talk about embracing awkward spaces to learn from one another, the way chaplains hold hope for people when they can't hold it for themselves, and how valuable people are no matter who they are or what they're experiencing.  If you'd like to support the work of the hospital chaplains, head to ichc.org.nz  ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Caz and Em are the hosts of the fantastic podcast, the Bloody Bible.  Outside of the podcast they are Dr Carolyn Blyth and Dr Emily Colgan - academics in the world of theology who have found ways to share their research so that it is digestible for the general public. On the Bloody Bible, Caz and Em explore some of the more violent passages in the Bible, linking them to modern true crimes, and behaviours and attitudes that are still in play today. They also help us see the stories from the perspective of the victims, something the Bible itself doesn't necessarily do for us.  We talk about how they became interested in these kind of topics, why they started the podcast, and what they've learned from linking these stories to modern day true crime. We talk about power and control, patriarchy, feminism, how to read the bible well, seeing things from the perspective of others, and the harmful ways that biblical texts are used to justify heinous behaviour   A warning that we do talk about a range of violent crimes such as gender based violence, including rape, and murder, so if you find those subjects hard please look after yourself, and feel free to skip this episode, or see the list of support services below. Check out the Bloody Bible at bloodybiblepodcast.com or on Facebook, and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Shiloh Project at shilohproject.blog   Support Services Mental Health Foundation helplines (NZ) https://mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines Lifeline Australia https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Suicide Prevention Helpline (UK) https://www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk/ Crisis Text Line (USA) https://www.crisistextline.org/ List of sexual assault support services (NZ) – https://sexualabuse.org.nz/resources/find-sexual-assault-support-near-you/  RAINN (USA) – https://www.rainn.org/  Helping Survivors (USA) – https://helpingsurvivors.org/  Rape Crisis (UK) – https://rapecrisis.org.uk/  Rape Crisis Scotland –​​ https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/  Full Stop (Australia) – https://fullstop.org.au/  Shine (NZ) - https://www.2shine.org.nz/  Family Violence - It’s Not Okay (NZ) - https://www.areyouok.org.nz/  National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA) - https://www.thehotline.org/  Women’s Aid (UK) - https://www.womensaid.org.uk/  1800 Respect (Australia) https://www.1800respect.org.au/  Find a Helpline (lists helplines internationally) https://findahelpline.com/   ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Dr Pauline Stewart is an educator, a psychologist, an Anglican Priest, and when she was an age when many would be hanging up their work clothes, she was starting up a charity to support the family and friends of people with alcohol or other drug habits. We talk about her time as a teacher and why she moved into psychology. We discuss her time working for the Ministry of Education as a psychologist. And we talk about Family Drug Support, the charity Pauline founded to educate and support people whose loved ones are misusing alcohol or other drugs. Pauline shares about why and how it started. We get into evidence based practice and why that is important, and Pauline shares about the opportunity she sees in this area to use new technologies including A.I. Find Family Drug Support on their website, fds.org.nz or find out how to financially support them here ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com  

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) are an organisation working with Christians in places where being Christian is dangerous. Where either there are restrictive laws, or simply open hostility towards those who follow Jesus.  I am joined in this conversation by Voice of the Martyrs NZ National Directors and their Events Coordinator.  We hear about how Voice of the Martyrs work with endangered Christians around the world. Their empowering way of supporting and getting alongside the persecuted church. The risks involved for them as they do it. And how the rest of us can partner with them to support those who are suffering for their faith.  Check out VOM on their website, Instagram, or Facebook. Also check out prisonersoffaith.org for info about writing to Christians in prison. ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com  

This time we are Catching Up With episode 7 guest, Jeremy Faumuinā. Jeremy talked last time about trusting his intuition, about serving neglected and abused children in Samoa, his social work with youth and the family based approach he takes to that, and about how his son coming out as gay shifted his world from anti to ally when it comes to the rainbow community. It's definitely worth a listen if you haven't heard it already. Jeremy joins me on Catching Up With to talk about his move to the NZ Police, still working as a social worker focussed on supporting young people and helping them succeed at life, and also the work he is now involved in with the organisation Moana Vā to support Pasifika people in the rainbow community.  Connect with Jeremy at vaconcepts.co.nz Or check out Moana Vā on Instagram, Facebook, or their website.  ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Ruth Schmidt (she/her) is a pastor pursuing ordination with the United Church of Christ in the USA. She was also a senior director at Fuller Theological Seminary, California, until she was fired in January 2024 for refusing to sign Fuller's statement of beliefs. Just two weeks after she was fired for standing up for what she believed in, we recorded this conversation. In the weeks afterwards Ruth publicly shared, in what I thought was a respectful and hopeful way, looking to stand against the injustices she saw and invite decision makers into conversation. We talk about what happened and why. We talk about Ruth's feelings throughout this, her hopes for the situation, and the courage she has seen rise up in others. We also discuss the ripple effect this all had for students and staff at Fuller, and what happened as a result in those first two weeks. You may not know of Fuller, but this conversation goes to something much bigger than this one institution. It's about justice. It's about coercive power. It's about listening to those who are different from you. And ultimately, it's about love and how we show it to one another. ---- Links to find a Gaza Peace Pilgrimage near you: Worldwide - https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/  Aotearoa New Zealand - https://www.commongrace.nz/ ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Sophie Fasi-Mohenoa is part of a small but growing group called Christians for Peace in Palestine Aotearoa that has arisen in the midst of the Israeli war on Gaza. Our conversation is grounded in her time living in the West Bank, working with Messianic Jews and Palestinian Christians looking to drive peace in the region.  We talk about how Christians for Peace Aotearoa came about, what they are involved in and are hoping to achieve, what she learned from her time living in Israel/Palestine, her experience as a foreigner in an occupied land, the hope that she found there, and what we can do from the other side of the world.  It's a conversation that is very timely, and gives us much food for thought and action. Here are some links mentioned in the episode: Christians for Peace in Palestine Aotearoa on Instagram or Facebook Sign the open letter to the NZ Government to call for a ceasefire Lent - Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage information Listen to Across the Divide Podcast on Spotify Watch Daoud Nassar sharing about the Tent of Nations   Also check out James Beck's podcast, Ngā Here: The Many Connections on Spotify or Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts). ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Donna Dyson is a fantastic human with a beautiful story. Her life has changed significantly on several occasions, yet she has managed to pivot, and to keep finding ways to move forward, bringing life to others as she does it. She is an educator, an author, an award winning song writer, and much, much more.  We talk about teaching, literacy, health conditions and disability. We talk about music and creativity. We hear about to moments of Donna's life that marked significant endings, and how she turned them into new beginnings. We hear about joy, passion, and a love for people, as well as the beauty of seeing people's hearts. This is a truly hope filled episode to finish the year with.  Find Donna at donnadyson.com ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com  

It's a busy, crazy time of year for many but it's also a time that can be really hard for those already doing it tough. For those living on the streets or those who have accommodation but can't afford the necessities of life, without support life simply isn't manageable, especially in a season where they are often forgotten. Orange Sky is an organisation based out of Australia that, through a huge number of volunteers around Australia and New Zealand, offer a free service to allow people doing it tough to wash and dry their clothing, and have a safe, hot shower at the same time. They have vans kitted out to allow a portable service to visit different locations on different days. Brodie and Raina are two of Orange Sky's volunteers, based here in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. So on a very wet and miserable day I went to meet with them at their Christchurch base in the Kairos Food Rescue warehouse.  You may hear the rain on the warehouse roof come and go through the episode, but that just serves to remind us how important it is that Orange Sky exist.   We talk about what Orange Sky is and how they both came to be involved. We talk about the types of people who use the services on offer and the difference it makes to them, and we talk about what Brodie and Raina have learnt from volunteering for Orange Sky. Check out Orange Sky Aotearoa at orangesky.org.nz or find them on Facebook or Instagram ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Julia Grace talked to us last time about her journey with mental health, the work she was doing speaking into that space, and her recognition that there isn't a line separating well and unwell, but that we're all on a continuum of mental health.  It's a profound and fun kōrero and definitely worth a listen. Julia joins me on Catching Up With to talk about how the journey of speaking in the mental health space is going, her recent appointment as president of the Professional Speakers Association of New Zealand, and most excitingly, her upcoming book, Be Kind to Your Mind. Order Julia's new book here, or check out her website, juliagrace.co.nz, Facebook, or Instagram.  ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Steff Fenton (they/them) is a trans Christian speaker, writer, educator, and advocate who publicly shares the intersections of queerness and faith. Steff is passionate about creating safe spiritual spaces for LGBTIQA+ people and helping others cultivate a more equitable and expansive faith.   I asked Steff on the podcast because they get in the way of all the prejudice I was taught in the faith culture I grew up in. Steff is transgender and is not only Christian, but has co-founded and co-pastored a church, has a Masters of Divinity, and lets their faith shape their way of being in the world. Steff is an amazingly loving human being who longs to see everyone embraced for who they are. In this conversation Steff and I talk about their contrasting experiences of coming out within a church context, firstly around sexuality, and later around gender, and how those experiences highlight what the church often is and what it can be. We talk about exclusion and embrace and the effects those have on people.  And we talk about the ways in which embracing those who are different from us, and particularly hearing the transgender voice, can give us a fuller and more beautiful picture of God.  Watch Steff's Awaken Conference session on gender expansiveness as a revelation of God at diversechurch.co.nz/resources or hear it wherever you get your podcasts by searching Awaken Conference, Diverse Church NZ Check out more from Steff at steffenton.co or on Facebook or Instagram ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Lisa Maathuis is the General Manager of Dignity - an organisation whose mission is to make period products accessible to everyone who needs them, so no one misses out on work, education, sport, or anything else in life. You may have never thought about that, but the more I've learned about period poverty and period equity, the more I have realised this needs to be something that we are talking about more openly so we can fix the issues together.   I talk with Lisa about what period poverty is, and why it is such a hidden problem. We talk about reducing stigma, and empowering people to thrive in life without the barriers some face in this area. We talk specifically about what Dignity are doing in this space - as a socially focused business looking to change lives one period product at a time.  Check out Dignity's website, dignitynz.com, or find them on Facebook or Instagram. ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Sarah Page is the founder and Executive Director of the Kindness Collective Foundation.  When events in life led her to see the inequalities of life clearly for the first time Sarah knew it was time to do something about it. So she started by getting friends to donate things for those she was connected to who were in need.  Ten years on and the Kindness Collective is a thriving network of thousands of ordinary New Zealanders who are getting alongside those in need, and they are partnered with some of New Zealand's biggest and most well known companies to bring love, and joy, and peace, and hope to people around the country through acts of kindness.  We talk about Sarah's journey of realising what life was like for others, what she decided to do about that, and the effect that performing these acts of kindness had on her own challenging journey with mental health. We hear the very tiniest tip of the iceberg of the stories that come Sarah's way on a daily basis and why this has become a lifelong passion for her. We talk about how broken our systems are that mean the Kindness Collective even has to exist, but the huge difference they are making because they do. And we touch on this word kindness and about how deep and gritty kindness really is.  Check out the Kindness Collective on their website, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and see ways you can contribute to the Christmas Joy Store. ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com  

'Catching Up With' is the new side project here on Down to Earth Conversations.  These are short episodes with former Down to Earth Conversations guest about new and interesting things they've been up to since I last talked to them.  In this first episode we are Catching up with Te Karere Whitiao Scarborough who featured way back on episode 10.  Te Karere joins me on Catching Up With to talk about an exciting new educational pathway in Aotearoa, Te Wānanga Ihorangi, which he is involved in shaping as they get ready to take their first students in 2024. It's an exciting new initiative that involves te reo Māori learning combined with theological learning and a number of other things.  Check it out at ihorangi.ac.nz or find them on Facebook or Instagram ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Bruce Pilbrow is a CEO who has worked across business and not-for-profits. He loves working in spaces that have a positive impact on the world, and he has become a bit of a transformation specialist, helping organisations change and adapt to better fulfil their mission.  We talk about disrupting the status quo, building culture, and doing it with empathy. We hear how Bruce's role as a CEO is about discovering talent and harnessing it to allow both the people and the organisation to flourish. We hear about his current role with the Spirit of Adventure Trust who specialise in youth development, why boot camps aren't the answer for troubled youth, and we talk about being an ally to the young people in our lives so they can thrive and live their best lives.  Check out the Spirit of Adventure Trust on their website, Facebook, or Instagram. ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Liz Cooledge Jenkins and I follow each other on Instagram, and neither of us remember how she and I connected, but when she let me know about a book she has coming out this December I had to get her on the podcast. The book is called Nice Churchy Patriarchy, and is a combination of Liz's experiences in, and working for, various American evangelical churches, and her deep thinking and research around the attitudes and impacts of patriarchy, even in those spaces that claim to see all people as equals.  We discuss Liz's experiences as a woman in church spaces and the impact of ingrained patriarchy on women, we talk about how her exploration of patriarchy goes hand in hand with her growing understanding of the many other minority groups within the western church and how the church has treated them, and we talk about how it's actually people's ability to live into the fullness of their humanity that is at stake.  Find details of Liz's upcoming book, Nice Churchy Patriarchy, and where to preorder it at lizcooledgejenkins.com/nice-churchy-patriarchy  Find Liz and her articles on her website and connect with her on Instagram ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Meg Cowan is a sex and intimacy coach.  After sex became a problem part of her own marriage, Meg and her husband sought help. Through that experience Meg opened up to her friends and found that the need to be talking about this was great. So she set about doing some study and now helps hundreds of people heal from hurts, and progress to loving themselves and having a more fulfilling sex life.   We talk about Meg's journey into this work. The unhelpful advice she was given along the way, especially in the church. We address the negative effects that the evangelical church's purity culture has had on so many, and in what ways Meg looks to address that. And we talk about the big killer in all of this - shame!   Find Meg at her website, megcowan.com, or Instagram ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Recently I was privileged, along with former guest Michael Frost, to be on a panel at a workshop about rethinking our beliefs regarding sexuality and gender. The main speaker that day was Amanda Pilbrow from Already Enough, and we took the opportunity to sit down together afterwards to debrief the day.   It doesn't matter if you weren't there. We give a brief overview of what was covered in the workshop, and people's reactions to them. We discuss the idea of questions about faith as holy invitations, even if we've been taught that they are signs of unfaithfulness. Amanda reminds us to listen to those for whom this is lived experience, rather than treating this as theological theory. And we acknowledge the courage it takes to step into this journey when so much can be at stake.   If you want to hear more of Amanda's story, head to episode 79 of Michael Frost's podcast 'In the Shift' on Apple or Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.   For more from Amanda or the resources she has compiled, head to her Already Enough website, or Instagram.  ___ Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations  Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com